Working with a CFP®

Working with a CFP® professional

When choosing a financial advisor to help you meet your wealth management goals, consider the benefits of working with someone that is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional. This well-regarded certification is awarded by the CFP® Board to individuals that have met rigorous educational, testing, and ethical standards.

Education

To obtain the CFP® certification, individuals must complete a comprehensive course of study at an approved college or university covering a multitude of financial planning topics, including:

Investments

Estate Planning

Insurance

Income Tax Planning

Wealth Transfer Strategies

Risk Management

Retirement Planning

Employee Benefits

Wealth Management Planning

Upon completion of the required coursework, individuals must pass a comprehensive, two-day, 10-hour examination that tests one’s ability to apply the knowledge they have obtained to real-life situations. This test is considered one of the most difficult in the industry, with only a 55-60%* pass rate.

Ethics

Beyond education, CFP® professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics, upholding principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when providing service to others. These standards are monitored closely by the CFP® Board and violation of these principles can result in the revocation of the designation.

Why it should matter to you

There are a variety of attributes that you can expect from an advisor with the CFP® certification, including:

being well-versed in developing integrated wealth management plans;

a robust theoretical and practical knowledge of investment products and services;

an unwavering commitment to the highest ethics; and

a steadfast commitment to putting your interests first.

We encourage you to experience the benefits of working with a CFP® professional for yourself. Contact me today to learn more or to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Investment and insurance products offered through RBC Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.